Give Peas a Chance

crazy for peas
Originally uploaded by MookieLuv

(from Terri)

Yep, it's another baby food-related video.  AGAIN!  We just can't help ourselves. 

The introduction of all kinds of foods and flavors have not only opened up Radha's flavor palatte but a whole new way of communicating. It's utterly fascinating. And FUN for us and her. When she's not happy with a food, she lets us know it. And when she's thrilled with a food, she also lets us know it, with leaning forward, grabbing of the spoon and bowl, attempted lurches forward in her high chair, and lots of "Mmmm, Mmmm" and various squeals and weird noises of delight.

The video speaks for itself regarding Radha's thoughts on pureed peas.

Sneak Peak

(from Ro) I came across this video the other day on Carrie Brownstein's NPR blog, and after laughing, I thought to myself ... "Is this a glimpse into my future?"

Carrot Gobbler

carrot gobbler
Originally uploaded by MookieLuv

I know we've already posted some pictures of Radha eating baby dood already, but we just had to share this video. Check out how she lunges towards the spoon! (She had quite the opposite reaction to green beans, by the way.) We haven't finalized her Thanksgiving menu yet.

Party Time, Excellent!

(from Terri)

Sorry we're a bit late with this post, but we promised Radha's fans that we would post some pictures from Radha's first Halloween.  Thanks to my mom, Radha got to wear a cool kitty-cat costume for her first Halloween. 

Before our party I took her to work to show off her costume (here she's thinking, "Check me out, I'm the kool kat!")

The only glitch was that we were invited to a party with an "Under the Sea" theme.  No problem; we just told everyone that she was a CATfish instead.   :)  I went as seaweed (using an old green graduation robe) and Ro went as Steve Zissou from the movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

The same weekend Radha got to celebrate her first Diwali, which is a Hindu holiday and festival of lights.  We took the opportunity to dress her up very girly in a fancy silver dress, which we had received from family friends at our baby shower.   Here she is with her Babaji:

Of course, last Tuesday was Election Night and we had a election party to attend.  Talk about excitement!   We managed to squeeze Radha into her "Obama Baby" onesie for probably the last time.   It must have brought Obama some good luck considering the results, which we were all thrilled about.  

With three parties within a week, Radha was quite the party animal!   Going to all these parties was a good learning experience for all of us (ex: how long it takes to get out of the house, mingling, eating, and drinking while holding a squirmy baby, first guests to arrive and first to leave, etc.).  But all were fun and Radha got to meet some of her internet admirers and new faces, all which hopefully will make her a pretty socialable kid over time.

Things Just Got a Whole Lot Messier

(from Terri)

Earlier this month 

we decided it was time to give Radha something totally new:  solid food. Well, not actually solid, more like slightly thicker liquid food, but something other than mom's milk.  

Can you imagine eating nothing but the same thing for six months, and then, BAM, a whole new flavor profile and explosion in your mouth?  No wonder the reactions are really weird.  Here's what we've tried thus far.

First food:  organic brown rice cereal

Second food: pureed pears

Third food: pureed sweet potatoes

Radha was pretty weirded out by the rice cereal since it was a whole new thing but she wasn't exactly thrilled.  We thought maybe it was too warm, or too cold, and wondered why she didn't take to it immediately.  After hearing some experiences of other moms at the moms group, I realized it's pretty bland on it's own and why not just move onto something different, although we plan to try it again because it's got some important vitamins in it that she needs. 

Radha liked the pears much better, but seemed to give us mixed signals.  She occasionally would lick the spoon fine, but then turn her head, yet stick out her tongue as if she wanted more.  What did it mean?  A few more servings of pear and then we were done with that and time to move on.   Sweet potatoes?  Instant hit!  

Radha was learning forward, lurching towards the spoon, mouth open, and grabbing for the spoon.   Who knows what makes babies like one thing more than another, but I predict much more sweet potato in our future (luckily we eat them pretty often anyways).  Next on her menu will be avocado and banana, two of my personal favorites.

Our other big realization from the foray into solid foods?   We should probably get some of those rubber bibs that wipe off easily!

The Graduate

(from Terri)

Last week Radha turned a whopping six months.  Ro and I sang "Happy Birthday" to her twice that day, but otherwise kept the celebration mellow.  (We're saving up for the big 1.0 next year!).  For those keeping an eye on the stats, here is an update from Radha's six month check-up:

Weight: 16 pounds (50th percentile)

Height: 27 inches (90th percentile)

Head circumfrence: 43.9 centimeters (85th percentile)

She's more than doubled her weight since she was born, making our arms all the more stronger these days.  Basically Radha is healthy and doing well.  Some of the things she's been up to lately:

• Obsessively following Mookie with her eyes and getting very animated when Mookie comes by or makes a move; we are trying to gradually teach Radha how to softly and gently pet Mookie.  Mookie seems to have taken on the "big sister" role well as she'll often sit right by us when I'm nursing Radha, or sit nearby when Radha and I are playing.
• Grabbing anything and everything in site; liquids are bound to be spilled around her and if you have long hair, I'm sorry if my daughter might make you bald sooner than expected.
• Sitting up on her own.  Well, for a few seconds and then she starts to lean.  Very close now.
• Various attempts at crawling, but mostly uncoordinated butt-in-air, legs-and-knees-move, and flailing arm movements, but not at the same time.  She gets frustrated and prefers being upright for now.
• Eating her toes.  She doesn't care if they're clean or have schmutz in them, and sometimes she doesn't mind a leather flavor if she's wearing shoes.
• "Graduating" from our moms group at the hospital (here's her serious graduate pose):

Since the support group is geared for new moms and babies, you get to "graduate" after six months.  On the last day it definitely felt strange to be considered a "veteran" mom at this stage and asked to share my words of wisdom with others.  I hardly felt qualified to offer any advice...I'm figuring this stuff out like everyone else. I just happen to be a few months further into it! 

Lil Pumpkin

(from Ro)  Yesterday, we (along with many other parents, I'm sure) took Radha to the pumpkin patch.  We went to Fir Point Farms outside of Canby.  They had pony rides, a petting zoo, food, and of course a pumpkin patch.  The weather was amazing!  We also took the opportunity to put Radha in an obnoxiously cute outfit, and got lots of comments when we were there.

Test driving the pumpkin hat on Friday

Finding the perfect pumpkin

Radha and Mom (R's outfit says BOO!!)

Luckily it wasn't too muddy or wet for Radha to sit.  She's almost sitting on her own these days!

Saying hi to a goat.

Dad sampling a fresh made apple cider donut.  It was good.  Radha looks on in envy.  Next year, she'll be able to have one!